Planar display assembly

ABSTRACT

A planar display assembly is provided with a pane with a front reflective surface and a rear surface. An array of mounting plates is provided, each with a first fastener, and a polygonal mounting plate adhered to the rear surface by an adhesive. A plurality of second fasteners is each engaged with one of the array of first fasteners for linear adjustment relative to the pane in a direction generally perpendicular to the pane to support the planar display assembly upon an upright support surface. Each mounting plate is oriented upon the pane rear surface such that at least one vertex extends away from the corresponding first fastener in a direction toward another sequential first fastener within the array of first fasteners. A metal bracket is adapted to be mounted to the upright support surface. The bracket has at least one enclosed cleat to receive two of the second fasteners.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/004,512, filed Jan. 22, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No.______, which in turn, claims the benefit of U.S. provisionalapplication Ser. No. 62/243,819 filed Oct. 20, 2015, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments relate to planar display assemblies.

BACKGROUND

One prior art system for installing a mirror assembly to an uprightsupport surface includes a cleat assembly, commonly referred to as aFrench cleat with one horizontal cleat mounted to the upright supportsurface, and another horizontal cleat mounted to a rear surface of themirror assembly. An elastomeric bumper may be mounted to a lower regionof the rear surface to engage the upright support surface to ensure thatthe mirror assembly is vertically upright or level by being spacedparallel to the wall.

Typically, hidden fastener mirrors include a sheet metal mounting platewhich is positioned onto the back of the mirror where the vertical andhorizontal axis of the mounting plates are roughly parallel with thevertical and horizontal axis of the mirror to which they are attached.

SUMMARY

According to at least one embodiment, a planar display assembly isprovided with a pane with a front reflective surface and a rear surface.An array of first fasteners is fastened to the rear surface of the pane.A plurality of second fasteners engages the array of first fasteners forlinear adjustment relative to the pane in a direction generallyperpendicular to the pane to support the planar display assembly upon anupright support surface.

According to at least another embodiment, a planar display assembly isprovided with a pane with a front reflective surface and a rear surface.An array of mounting plates is provided, each formed generally as apolygon. Each of the plurality of mounting plates is adhered to the rearsurface of the pane by an adhesive. A plurality of first fasteners iseach provided on one of the array of mounting plates. A plurality ofsecond fasteners is each engaged with one of the plurality of firstfasteners to support the planar display assembly upon an upright supportsurface. Each mounting plate is oriented upon the pane rear surface suchthat at least one vertex extends away from the corresponding firstfastener in a direction toward another sequential first fastener withinthe array of first fasteners.

A planar display assembly is provided with a pane with a frontreflective surface and a rear surface. An array of first fasteners isfastened to the rear surface of the pane. A plurality of secondfasteners is each engaged with one of the array of first fasteners forlinear adjustment relative to the pane in a direction generallyperpendicular to the pane to support the planar display assembly upon anupright support surface. A metal bracket is adapted to be mounted to theupright support surface. The bracket has at least one cleat sized toreceive at least two of the plurality of second fasteners. The cleat isenclosed at adjacent terminal ends of the bracket due to a deformationof the bracket to limit a lateral range of adjustment of the planardisplay assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear elevation view of a mirror assembly according to anembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of a mounting plate assembly of themirror assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective section view of the mounting plate assembly ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the mirror assembly of FIG. 1,illustrated assembled to an upright support surface;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mounting plate assembly according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view a fastener of the assembled mirrorassembly of FIG. 4, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a side section view of a fastener assembly according to anembodiment;

FIG. 8 is a side section view of a fastener assembly according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view a fastener assembly according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 10 is a side section view of a fastener assembly according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a side section view of a fastener assembly according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of a mounting plate according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the mounting plate of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of a mounting plate assembly accordingto another embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the mounting plate assembly of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a front elevation view of a mounting plate assembly accordingto another embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a bottom section view of the mounting plate assembly of FIG.16;

FIG. 18 is a front elevation view of a mounting plate according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a bottom section view of the mounting plate of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a front elevation view of a mounting plate assembly accordingto another embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a bottom plan view of the mounting plate assembly of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a front elevation view of a mounting plate assembly accordingto another embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a side section view of the mounting plate assembly of FIG.22; and

FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of a mounting plate according toanother embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in variousand alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; somefeatures may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particularcomponents. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

With reference now to FIG. 1, a planar display assembly, such as amirror assembly is illustrated and referenced generally by numeral 40.The mirror assembly 40 is depicted as a rear elevation view to exposecomponents of a hardware assembly 42 for mounting the mirror assembly 40to an upright support surface, such as a wall. Although a mirrorassembly 40 is illustrated, any planar display assembly, such as apicture, is contemplated that can be installed with the hardwareassembly 42.

The mirror assembly includes a mirror pane 44, with front displaysurface 46 and a rear surface 48 which may be non-reflective. The mirrorpane 44 may be laminated to include a hardboard backer on the rearsurface 48. Although the mirror assembly 40 is depicted as frameless,the mounting hardware assembly 42 may be employed with a framed mirrorassembly as well. The hardware assembly 42 is oriented within aperimeter of the mirror assembly 40 to avoid or minimize the visibilityof the hardware assembly 42.

The hardware assembly 42 includes a rectangular array of mounting plateassemblies 50 fastened to the rear surface 48 of the mirror assembly 40.One of the mounting plate assemblies 50 is illustrated in greater detailin FIGS. 2 and 3. The mounting plate assembly 50 includes a substrate ormounting plate 52, which may be formed from stamped sheet metal or anysuitable structural material. A boss 54 is formed into the mountingplate 52 to provide an aperture and clearance for receipt of a threadedfastener, such as a self-clinching internally threaded insert 56. Theboss 54 in combination with the threaded insert 56 provide a robustconnection point that is sufficiently compact to permit the mirrorassembly 40 to be installed upon a wall with minimal spacing or gapbetween the wall and the mirror assembly 40. Other internally threadedfasteners are contemplated such as a welded nut, or the like.

With reference to FIG. 4, the hardware assembly 42 is illustrated with aplurality of externally threaded fasteners, or studs 58 with enlargeddiameter heads, such as frusto-conical fastener heads 60. Each one ofthe studs 58 is in threaded engagement with one of the threaded inserts56 in a direction that is perpendicular to the mirror pane 44. Linearadjustment, or spacing, of the mirror assembly 40 from the support wallcan be accomplished by employing studs 58 of varying lengths. Accordingto at least one embodiment, the adjustment of the spacing is provided byadjusting the stud 58.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, the hardware assembly 42 includes abracket 62 with an array of apertures 64. The apertures 64 permit an enduser to install the bracket 62 to the wall. For example, duringinstallation, the bracket 62 is fastened to the wall with at least onefastener being installed through one of the apertures 64 and into a woodwall stud. Once the bracket 62 is level, the installer then uses aplurality of additional fasteners to prevent rotation of the bracket 62during normal use.

The bracket 62 also includes a cleat 66 that extends upward and angledaway from the wall. The cleat 66 is sized and angled to receive theheads 60 of at least a pair of the studs 58 to support the mirrorassembly upon the wall. The studs 58 may be tightened by hand forconvenience so that no tools are required. The lower studs 58 may beextended to engage the wall and level the mirror assembly 40 relative tovertical. If the loading requirements of a particular mirror assemblyrequire additional support, a second bracket 62 can be provided for thelower studs 58. The interchangeability and adjustability of the studs 58permits a user to adjust the spacing of the mirror assembly 40 relativeto the wall for a range of positions including proximate to the wall toa standoff position relative to the wall. Alternatively, the hardwareassembly 42 can be utilized for framed mirror assemblies 40 with avariety of frame thicknesses.

The cleat 66 permits a lateral range of adjustment of the mirrorassembly 40 so that the installer or end user can adjust the position ofthe mirror assembly laterally. The cleat 66 includes a pair ofdeformations 68 to enclose the cleat at its terminal ends and provide amechanical limit or stop to the range of lateral adjustment. The spacingof the deformations 68 is greater than a spacing of the threaded inserts56 to provide the range of adjustment. The deformations 68 are bent orformed to return towards the wall to enclose the cleat 66 and preventone of the stud heads 60 from inadvertently disengaging the cleat 66during lateral adjustment, cleaning or the like.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the mounting plate assemblies 50 arepositioned in a symmetrical pattern relative to a height and width ofthe mirror assembly 40. In other words, the distance from the center ofone sequential mounting plate assembly 50 to a sequential mounting plateassembly 50 is the same in both horizontal and vertical directions. Inother words, the mounting plate assemblies are arranged in a rectangularpattern, such as a square pattern, with the threaded insert 56 at eachvertex of the square. The square pattern of the mounting plateassemblies 50 is also centered in the mirror pane 44. This arrangementgives the installer the option of positioning the mirror assembly 40either vertically or horizontally;

The adjustability of the mirror assembly 40 provides options to theinstaller that allows the mirror assembly 40 to be installed in closeproximity to the wall surface as well as offset from the wall surface.In other words, these positions could be thought of as flush andfloating respectively. The adjustable mirror assembly 40 also allows themirror to be attached to a pair of drawer slides, a cabinet, and hinges.

Typically, hidden fastener mirror assemblies are provided with a sheetmetal mounting plate which is positioned onto the back of the mirrorwhere the vertical and horizontal axis of the mounting plates areroughly in alignment with the vertical and horizontal axis of the mirrorto which they are attached. This approach does not optimize the amountof adhesive being used to attach the plate to the mirror assembly.

Referring again to FIG. 2, each mounting plate 52 provides a flange forapplying adhesive for fastening each mounting plate assembly 50 the rearsurface 48 of the mirror assembly 40. In the depicted embodiment of FIG.4, the studs 58 absorb the weight of the mirror assembly 40 whereas aportion above or below the center axis of the stud 58 is in tensionwhile the other portion on the opposite side of the center axis is incompression. This loading is reversed on applications where the fastenerarrangement (internally and externally threaded) is reversed. The resultof this loading creates an “area of influence” 70 (FIG. 2) wherein thegreatest tensile stresses are applied to the adhesive.

In order to optimize the surface area of the adhesive and the surfacearea of the mounting plate 52, the mounting plate 52 is formed generallyas a polygon, such as a square rotated approximately forty-five degrees.This orientation aligns each vertex 72 in a direction away from thethreaded insert 56 and aligned with a sequential mounting plate assembly50. This orientation maintains the area of influence 70 within the areaof the mounting plate 52 and adhesive for any of all four potentialmounting orientations of the mounting plate assembly 50.

With reference to FIG. 5, a mounting plate assembly 80 is illustratedaccording to another embodiment. The mounting plate assembly 80 includesa mounting plate 82 with a threaded insert 56. A pair of apertures 84 isformed through the mounting plate 82 to receive mechanical fasteners forsecuring the mounting plate 82 to the rear surface 48 of the mirrorassembly 40. This embodiment may be employed for mirror panes 44 thatare laminated to a hardboard backing. The fastener may be a lowerprofile head rivet, or the like.

The stud 58 is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 6. The stud 58includes a shank 86 extending from the fastener head 60. A threaded body88 extends from the shank 86 to engage one of the threaded inserts 56.The stud may be turned, or formed from any suitable manufacturingprocess.

FIG. 7 illustrates a fastener assembly 90 according to an alternativeembodiment. A stamped fastener head 92 is in threaded engagement with amachine screw 94. A jam nut 96 is employed for locking the machine screw94 relative to the fastener head 92. The machine screw 94 engages thethreaded insert 56 of the corresponding mounting plate assembly 50.

FIG. 8 illustrates a fastener assembly 98 according to an alternativeembodiment. A cast fastener head 100 is in threaded engagement with amachine screw 102. A jam nut 104 is locks the machine screw 102 relativeto the fastener head 100. The machine screw 102 engages the threadedinsert 56 of the corresponding mounting plate assembly 50.

The length of the stud 58 determines the distance that the mirrorassembly 40 is spaced apart from the surface of the wall. Differentlength studs 58 are offered so that installers have options for either aflush mount or floating effect simply by changing out the studs 58 toaccommodate the desired style. For any given application, at least twostuds 58 engage the cleat 66, while the other two studs 58 provide bothoverall stability and ensure the mirror rear surface 48 is equidistantand parallel from the wall surface.

For larger mirror assemblies, more than two mounting plate assemblies 50and studs 58 may engage the cleat 66. This equidistant mounting approachensures the reflected image is parallel and true to the wall and thesurroundings.

FIG. 9 illustrates a fastener assembly 106 according to anotherembodiment. The fastener assembly 106 includes a carriage bolt 108 witha wrench flat 110 that is received within a corresponding mountingplate. A turned fastener head 112 is provided with an internallythreaded shank 114 to operate as a nut and receive a threaded body 116of the carriage bolt 108.

FIG. 10 illustrates a fastener assembly 118 according to anotherembodiment. The fastener assembly 118 includes a carriage bolt 108 witha wrench flat 110 that is received within a corresponding mountingplate. A stamped fastener head 120 is internally threaded to operate asa nut and receive a threaded body 116 of the carriage bolt 108.

FIG. 11 illustrates a fastener assembly 122 according to anotherembodiment. The fastener assembly 122 includes a carriage bolt 108 witha wrench flat 110 that is received within a corresponding mountingplate. A cast fastener head 124 is provided with an internally threadedshank 126 to operate as a nut and receive a threaded body 116 of thecarriage bolt 108.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a mounting plate 128 according to anotherembodiment. The mounting plate 128 is formed from extruded aluminum witha continuous boss 130 across a material length of the mounting plate128. A threaded aperture 132 is formed through a center of the mountingplate 128.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a mounting plate 134 according to anotherembodiment. The mounting plate 134 is formed from extruded aluminum witha pair of continuous retainer gibs 136 formed across a material lengthof the mounting plate 134 providing a channel 138. An internallythreaded nut 140 is oriented within the channel 138. The gibs 136 aredeformed or swedged at locations 142 to retain the nut 140 in a centralorientation.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate a stamped mounting plate 144 according toanother embodiment. The mounting plate 144 is stamped with an integralboss 146. An internally threaded nut 148 is welded into the boss 146 byat welds 150.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate a stamped mounting plate 152 according toanother embodiment. The mounting plate 152 is stamped with an integralboss 154. An internally threaded aperture 156 is formed through the boss154.

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate a mounting plate 158 according to anotherembodiment. The mounting plate 158 is formed from extruded aluminum witha pair of continuous retainer gibs 160 formed across a material lengthof the mounting plate 158 providing a channel 162. A fastener head 164of a carriage bolt 108 is oriented within the channel 162. The carriagebolt 108 is engaged with one of the fastener assemblies 106, 118, 122 ofthe embodiments of FIGS. 9-11. The carriage bolt 108 arrangementprovides another level of adjustability along the channel 162 forassisting in levelling the mirror assembly 40.

FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate a mounting plate 166 according to anotherembodiment. The mounting plate 166 is formed from stamped steel with anintegral elongate boss 168 extending toward an opposed pair of vertices170 of the mounting plate 166. An aperture 172 is formed through theboss 168 and sized to pass a fastener head 164 of a carriage bolt 108. Aslot 174 is formed through the boss intersecting the aperture 172 forreceiving the threaded body 116 of the carriage bolt 108. The carriagebolt 108 received within the slot 174 provides adjustability along theslot 174 for assisting in levelling the mirror assembly 40 in a heightdirection.

FIG. 24 illustrates a mounting plate 176 according to anotherembodiment. The mounting plate 176 is stamped from metal with a boss 178that is frusto-pyramidal. A plurality of supports 180 are stamped intoeach lateral side 182 of the boss 178. A threaded aperture 184 is formedthrough the boss 178. Alternatively, a nut or threaded insert isretained within the boss 178.

The plurality of supports 180 are formed away from the correspondinglateral sides 182 of the boss 178 and from the mounting plate 176. Thisintegral loop configuration of the supports 180 consequently provides anaperture 186 between each support 180 and the intersection of thecorresponding lateral side 182 and the mounting plate 176. The supportapertures 186 permit a user to pass a thin wire through apertures 186 ofa pair of mounting plates 176. A wire may be employed for hanging themirror assembly 40. For example, if a user desires to utilize atraditional picture hanging hook, the hardware assembly 42 is compatiblefor that use. This compatibility may be advantageous when the mirrorassembly 40 is replacing a preexisting mirror assembly; and wherein theuser desires to utilize a common picture hanging hook. Alternatively,the wire may be employed to hang the mirror assembly 40 from aconventional open-ended French cleat, screw, nail or the like.

The mirror assembly 40 permits spacing of the display surface 46 fromthe wall so that the gap behind the mirror assembly 40 is constant.Also, by providing four points of contact with the wall, the mirrorassembly 40 is stable and holds the mirror assembly 40 steady whileduring cleaning of the mirror assembly 40. Alternatively the hardwareassembly 42 may be utilized to install the mirror assembly 40 to a pairof common ball bearing drawer slides in order to move the mirrorassembly 40 to one side and thus gain access to the wall surface behindthe mirror assembly 40 where a storage compartment may be embeddedwithin the wall for storing medicine or valuables.

Spacing of the mirror assembly 40 away from the wall in bathroomenvironments minimizes moisture buildup behind the mirror assembly 40,which can be a source of premature mirror decay. When the mirrorassembly 40 is installed in such a way that it rests directly onto thewall, chemical cleaners can wick behind the mirror assembly 40 and erodeor corrode the silver or aluminum reflective surface. The fasteningsystem 42 provides adequate spacing to allow water and cleaners toquickly dissipate, thereby preserving the mirror assembly 40.

The foot print size of the various mirror mounting plates 52, 82, 128,134, 144, 152, 158, 166, 176 are sized and/or proportioned toaccommodate the size and weight of the mirror assembly 40 beinginstalled for each application. This approach optimizes both thematerial for the mounting plate 52, 82, 128, 134, 144, 152, 158, 166,176 and the quantity of the adhesive being employed.

While various embodiments are described above, it is not intended thatthese embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather,the words used in the specification are words of description rather thanlimitation, and it is understood that various changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may becombined to form further embodiments of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A planar display assembly comprising: a pane witha front display surface and a rear surface; an array of first fastenersfastened to the rear surface of the pane; and a plurality of secondfasteners to each engage one of the array of first fasteners for linearadjustment relative to the pane in a direction generally perpendicularto the pane to support the planar display assembly upon an uprightsupport surface.
 2. The planar display assembly of claim 1 wherein thearray of first fasteners comprises an array of first threaded fasteners;and wherein the plurality of second fasteners comprises a plurality ofsecond threaded fasteners.
 3. The planar display assembly of claim 2wherein the array of first threaded fasteners further comprises an arrayof internally threaded fasteners.
 4. The planar display assembly ofclaim 3 wherein the plurality of second threaded fasteners furthercomprises a plurality of externally threaded fasteners.
 5. The planardisplay assembly of claim 2 wherein the array of first threadedfasteners further comprises an array of carriage bolts.
 6. The planardisplay assembly of claim 5 wherein the plurality of second threadedfasteners further comprises a plurality of threaded nuts.
 7. The planardisplay assembly of claim 2 wherein the array of first threadedfasteners further comprises an array of mounting plates each fastened tothe rear surface of the pane.
 8. The planar display assembly of claim 7further comprising a plurality of mechanical fasteners fastened to oneof the array of mounting plates and the rear surface of the pane.
 9. Theplanar display assembly of claim 7 wherein the planar display assemblyfurther comprises an adhesive that adheres the mounting plate to therear surface of the pane.
 10. The planar display assembly of claim 9wherein the mounting plate is formed generally as a polygon and orientedupon the rear surface of the pane such that at least one vertex extendsaway from the corresponding first threaded fastener in a directiontoward another sequential first threaded fastener within the array offirst threaded fasteners.
 11. The planar display assembly of claim 9wherein the mounting plate is formed generally as a polygon and orientedupon the rear surface of the pane such that at least two vertices eachextend away from the corresponding first threaded fastener in adirection toward another sequential first threaded fastener within thearray of first threaded fasteners.
 12. The planar display assembly ofclaim 11 wherein the array of first threaded fasteners is aligned in arectangular pattern with at least one first threaded fastener orientedat each vertex.
 13. The planar display assembly of claim 12 wherein themounting plate is formed generally as a square rotated generallyforty-five degrees from the rectangular pattern of the array.
 14. Theplanar display assembly of claim 1 further comprising a bracket adaptedto be mounted to the upright support surface, with at least one cleatsized to receive at least two of the plurality of second fasteners. 15.The planar display assembly of claim 14 wherein the cleat is enclosed atadjacent terminal ends of the bracket to limit a lateral range ofadjustment of the planar display assembly.
 16. A planar display assemblycomprising: a pane with a front reflective surface and a rear surface;an array of mounting plates, each formed generally as a polygon, andadhered to the rear surface of the pane by an adhesive; a plurality offirst fasteners each provided on one of the array of mounting plates;and a plurality of second fasteners to each engage one of the pluralityof first fasteners to support the planar display assembly upon anupright support surface; wherein each mounting plate is oriented uponthe rear surface of the pane such that at least one vertex extends awayfrom the corresponding first fastener in a direction toward anothersequential first fastener within the plurality of first fasteners. 17.The planar display assembly of claim 1 wherein an aperture is formedthrough the mounting plate and sized to receive a wire for hanging theplanar display assembly.
 18. The planar display assembly of claim 16wherein the plurality of first fasteners is aligned in a rectangularpattern with at least one first fastener oriented at each vertex.
 19. Aplanar display assembly comprising: a pane with a front reflectivesurface and a rear surface; an array of first fasteners fastened to therear surface of the pane; a plurality of second fasteners each engagedwith one of the array of first fasteners for linear adjustment relativeto the pane in a direction generally perpendicular to the pane tosupport the planar display assembly upon an upright support surface; anda metal bracket adapted to be mounted to the upright support surface,with at least one cleat sized to receive at least two of the pluralityof second fasteners, wherein the cleat is enclosed at adjacent terminalends of the bracket due to a deformation of the bracket to limit alateral range of adjustment of the planar display assembly.
 20. Theplanar display assembly of claim 19 wherein each of the plurality ofsecond fasteners further comprise an enlarged diameter sized to bereceived within the cleat.